Friday, September 23, 2011

· United Autosports’ young title aspirant in the spotlight after legendary motor racing club takes note of Northerner’s natural talent.

United Autosports’ Matt Bell has been selected as a British Racing Drivers’ Club “Rising Star”. The 21-year-old Newcastle-upon-Tyne youngster has been chosen after impressing officials of the BRDC – arguably the most exclusive club in motor racing.

The BRDC “Rising Stars” program is for drivers aged 24 or under and is considered the future of the club. Scouted from trackside, the BRDC “Rising Stars” is in effect the ‘Junior Members’ of the Club who take motor racing seriously and are aiming for a professional career in all forms of four-wheel racing.

Ex-Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton graduated up the motor racing ladder guided by the “Rising Star” scheme.

Having been spotted by members of the “Rising Stars” panel, Richmond-based Bell was recently invited to Silverstone for an informal meeting and has now been subsequently invited to become a “Rising Star” member.

Providing his career continues with upward momentum, Matt has the ability to stay on the scheme for another three years.

The BRDC owns and operates Silverstone, the circuit on the Buckinghamshire/Northamptonshire borders that stages the final round of the British GT Championship next month (October 7). Bell and American co-driver Mike Guasch have scored a win plus second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and 10th positions in the eight races to date and led the British GT Championship for almost four months.

"I’m delighted, if pleasantly surprised, to have been selected for the BRDC ‘Rising Stars’ programme. I’m only just coming to the end of my second full season in the sport and so to receive this type of recognition so early in my career is very unexpected! United Autosports has played a major role in allowing my career to get to this stage so I am extremely grateful to the team. I’ve raced with them in the FIA GT3 European Championship since 2010 and I’m in contention for the British GT Championship title with two races remaining. So I must thank UA Co-Owners Zak Brown and Richard Dean for the opportunity they handed me which in turn has allowed me to be noticed by the BRDC."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:

“Matt has done exceptionally well in such a short space of time. His first two seasons have marked him out as one to watch and the BRDC recognition is truly deserved. Having worked with Matt in GT's from day one, I am convinced his natural speed and unrelenting desire to learn and constantly improve himself will ultimately see him reach the top. I congratulate the BRDC for taking notice of Matt’s talent from this early stage and getting behind one of the UK's brightest talents in GT racing.”

(ends)

Date of issue: Friday September 23, 2011

* A Matt Bell biography is available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/

* Matt Bell now has his own website
www.mattbellracing.com/

* Various Editorial Copyright Free photographs of Matt Bell can be downloaded at www.flickr.com/unitedautosports/sets